Question for low handicappers / scratch players

[sean_miller]

You seen the British Open at St. Andrews ?

It's whatever suits your eye, I'd say. Keep in mind that I'm not a low capper by any means, but to me getting a yardage with a rangefinder then trying to stick the ball close on the fly, isn't as fun as trying to read the break on the green or even the bounce off the apron, then trying to get it close with a pitch and run. Different strokes for different folks.

[delav]

It's whatever suits your eye, I'd say.

There is certainly a few ways to skin the cat. A good player knows when to fly it close (or try :) ) and when to use the apron and surrounding features to ease it in.

As far as ball selection, I'll usually play whatever high-end ball you lost recently. Our course has a fair amount of tall grass, and what seems to be quite a few lazy players. The surlyn balls go into the shag bag, the better urethan balls get played or practiced with, and when I'm feeling rich I'll buy a sleeve or two of V1x/Pentas to justify perusing the local golf shop and hitting a few clubs I can't afford. Although I prefer a few balls over most, I find that most tour balls behave pretty similarly. Close enough for practice rounds anyway.

[sean_miller]

There is certainly a few ways to skin the cat. A good player knows when to fly it close (or try :) ) and when to use the apron and surrounding features to ease it in.

I've made some very good shots this year with found tour balls. And most of them are pretty nice if you want to stick it close, but I've also stuck a 2-iron close with a 75 cent ball - wth the right lie and not playing a rock hard green.

PS. If I ever play your local course, enjoy the Wilson Staff FG Tours I left for you.

[delav]

I've made some very good shots this year with found tour balls. And most of them are pretty nice if you want to stick it close, but I've also stuck a 2-iron close with a 75 cent ball - wth the right lie and not playing a rock hard green.

Great. If you ever find a Penta with a AED on the side at your course, know that some chubby jerk from the Omaha, NE visited your area, playing the ball he stole after my tee shot last Thursday.

[motteler621]

well ive got a wide range of found premium balls so I will be using all different brands for the rest of the season. Seriously I have found about two boxes of premium balls last week. Wanted to really try the taylor made tp penta and found only one of those. Im impressed with the quality of the srixon z-star's as well.

[Deryck Griffith]

I am pretty confident that I could shoot well with any brand of mid range (i.e.Top-flight Gamer or D2 Feel, Bridgestone E6, etc) to premium golf ball (Penta, ProV, Z star etc..). If I was playing a two piece rock that dind't spin off of wedges, I still think I could pull off a decent score after learning what I need to do to make that ball work - for example, playing more of a bump and run style vs. spinning style...

[Lefty-Golfer]

I don't know that i would call myself a low HC guy but i doo feel confident hitting the colloway tour balls. i don't know why but that is a good enough reason to buy them.

[golfro]

i usually categorize balls into three:
1. cheap balls like Pinnacle, etc
2. medium range, 25$ balls like the Bridgestone E6
3. Premium balls.

Depending on the course, I usually stick with either Bridgestone E6 for most courses...if its a course where spin control is absolutely needed, I'll use the Nike One Tour that I have.
I've found that most medium range balls perform very well around the green. The E6, while not a high spin ball, for most courses around here, I can get it to check.

[imtomtomim]

Normally, I try to use the same brand. I bought a whole bunch of used tp blacks a while ago and that's been doing me well. However, I hate constantly breaking out fresh balls from time to time so I've got a shag pocket full of any premium balls I find. As long as it's got a soft cover, I do just fine with it. A consistent ball is definitely an advantage, but I wouldn't obsess over it.

[paradirr]

I don't think my score would change very much. I use proV1x mostly but every once and a while i will use something different. For me the biggest difference is in trajectory, not so much with full shots but with pitches. Seems like cheaper balls pop off the club face and go high where a prov seems softer with a lower flight and checks. Just personal preference don't really think makes that big of difference just what you feel comfortable with.

[very handicap]

Thanks for all the comments and input to this thread. After reading through the comments, it seems that most of the low handicapper and scratch players are talented enough to adjust their game to suit the type of balls they use. This means that they can play pro-V1 or a distance 2 piece ball with no impact to their score.

If this is the case, pardon me if i ask a stupid question. If the score is not affected by the ball you use, why use expensive 3 piece ball that do not even last? I know the feel may mean a lot of some, but just like Ferrari, everyone would like to own one but but is it necessary just to get one from point A to B?

[delav]

Thanks for all the comments and input to this thread. After reading through the comments, it seems that most of the low handicapper and scratch players are talented enough to adjust their game to suit the type of balls they use. This means that they can play pro-V1 or a distance 2 piece ball with no impact to their score.

A ferrari and a camry may get you from point A to point B equally well, but on the track the Ferrari can do things that the camry cannot. The worlds best driver may be able to beat my lap time in a camry, but he wont lap as fast as in a 458 Italia... it's different technology.

The point is that at a certain point, the ball does matter for the right player. A good player can accommodate his approach shots and short game for a distance 2-piece, but when critical shots arise the ProV1/other enables the golfer to hit shots not possible with a lesser ball.

[sean_miller]

A ferrari and a camry may get you from point A to point B equally well . . .

Unless the Ferrari runs out of gas first.

[TourSpoon]

I agree with most of the comments offered so I won't repeat.

I think the variable that most affects a scratch to single digit's game is predictable spin. This is mainly with those scoring shots around the green. When you move away from a decent ball, you lose the ability to hit certain shots which can affect your score over the long term. Could you put up with it for a round, sure, would I want to? Not really. The lower spinning balls are usually marketed to the golfing populice that is looking for longer and straighter over shot control.

[paradirr]

Well I like the better ball if I have a pin on the front of a green with a bunker in front. With the pro V or good ball I know I can still get close. Another ball I will have to probably make a long put because it is hard to hold or bring it back. I personally just feel more comfortably with the better ball.